From Volunteer to Global Changemaker: How Thobeka Turned Small Steps Into Big Impact
It is a feeling almost every young South African knows all too well: holding a degree, beaming with talent, but staring into a corridor of closed doors. You have the ambition, but the networks, resources and opportunities seem out of reach.
That was the crossroads Thobeka Mndaweni found herself facing. Equipped with a Bachelor of Education degree and a deep desire to spark change in her community, she knew she had potential. She just needed a chance to prove it.
Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity to fall into her lap, Thobeka took a leap of faith and created her own starting line. As a volunteer, she walked through the doors of Safe Study, a creative arts enrichment initiative that works with marginalised youth in Johannesburg East, eager to work with young people and soak up as much hands-on experience as she could. Sure, it was a humble beginning, yet it was a move that set off an incredible chain reaction.
Her proactive spirit caught fire when she landed a YES Youth placement in June 2024 through Lucha Lunako. Suddenly, the spark had fuel. Thobeka dove headfirst into practical workplace experience, developing skills in facilitation and programme coordination.
Then came the real turning point: the personal development modules with Lucha Lunako that completely shifted her mindset. Three in particular stood out for her the most.
Through the My Personal Brand course, Thobeka realised that she wasn’t just a job seeker; she was a brand herself. She learned how to package her story, communicate her values and step into rooms with unshakeable confidence. Another course, Purposeful Living, unlocked a truth that changed everything: change starts right where you are. She didn’t need a massive platform or endless resources to make a difference; she just needed to start with what she had. Finally, Visioning gave her the blueprint to map out her future with absolute intention.
Back at Safe Study, the leadership took notice. Directors Nicola and Gina saw a rising leader and backed her fully, handing her key responsibilities that stretched her limits and built her confidence. Step by step, Thobeka climbed from volunteer to YES Youth intern, all the way to a senior leadership position.
But her story didn’t stop at a local level.
With a crystal-clear vision and her newly defined personal brand, Thobeka aimed higher. She applied for the prestigious Global Changemakers Summit, a platform to connect with young leaders between 21 and 28 worldwide who are actively working to bring change in their communities. When the selection news arrived, her name was on the list. The local volunteer who started with deep determination was now taking her story and her community’s voice to the world stage.
Today, Thobeka stands as proof that where you start never determines how far you can go. Her dream now is to keep growing, further her studies and pave the way so other young people can step into their own greatness.
An open door is just the beginning. What you do once you walk through it is what shapes your story.
